Word
underfoot
Phoneticsun·der·foot, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌəndɝˈfʊt/
UK/ˌʌndəfˈʊt/
Adverb of place
Definition
adv. on the ground below your feet, where you walk. You use it when something is lying in the way on the floor.
adv. situated or occurring beneath the feet; lying on the ground where people walk. Often implies being in the way or likely to be stepped on.
Examples
“Toys lie underfoot all over the living room.”
“The kids leave their shoes underfoot in the hallway, so I keep tripping on the way to the kitchen.”
“Autumn leaves lay thick underfoot in the park, muffling our steps as we walked beneath the bare branches in the cold afternoon light.”
Examples
simple
“Toys lie underfoot all over the living room.”
contextual
“The kids leave their shoes underfoot in the hallway, so I keep tripping on the way to the kitchen.”
complex
“Autumn leaves lay thick underfoot in the park, muffling our steps as we walked beneath the bare branches in the cold afternoon light.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “underfoot” in context.
Verb
01. crunch underfoot
“Dry leaves crunched underfoot as we walked through the park.”
verb + adv
02. crush underfoot
“Hikers crushed the dry twigs underfoot as they passed.”
verb + adv
03. get underfoot
“My cat always gets underfoot when I am cooking dinner.”
verb + adv
04. lie underfoot
“Toys were lying underfoot all over the living room floor.”
verb + adv
Adjective
05. firm underfoot
“The sand was firm underfoot, perfect for a long walk.”
adj + adv
06. muddy underfoot
“The football pitch was muddy underfoot after heavy rain.”
adj + adv
07. slippery underfoot
“Be careful, the bridge can be slippery underfoot in winter.”
adj + adv
Noun
08. gravel underfoot
“We heard the gravel underfoot as we approached the house.”
noun + adv
09. leaves underfoot
“The leaves underfoot crackled with every step we took.”
noun + adv
10. crunch of snow underfoot
“I love the crunch of snow underfoot on a cold morning.”
11. firm and dry underfoot
“Despite the rain, the path stayed firm and dry underfoot.”
12. get underfoot in the kitchen
“The children get underfoot in the kitchen at mealtimes.”
Real-World Examples
“We arrive at the service station surprisingly quickly: a spacious, well-lit chamber with crushed stone underfoot.” “From the crunch of leaves underfoot and the fiery foliage adorning the trees, you might be thinking autumn has come early.” “They found glass, carpeting floors, plaster and broken tiles crunching underfoot.” Etymology
From Middle English underfoote, underfote, equivalent to under- + foot. Cognate with Middle Dutch ondervoet (“underfoot”). Compare also Middle Low German undervôt (“pedestal, base”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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